largest tank battle in ww2 ww2 where philippines lost to japan

The city of Hagåtña, the hub of the island, was instantly transformed into a city of shocked people. The date was the feast of the Immaculate Conception and many families were still in church when the planes struck. In Guam, terror gripped the people as the warplanes, flying in formation of threes, bombed Sumay and later strafed Piti, Hagåtña and other populated areas. In Washington, Kurusu was still talking peace he was unaware of the Japanese military’s plan to strike at Pearl Harbor.

Just four hours earlier, Pearl Harbor was attacked with more than 2,500 Americans killed and America’s proud Pacific Fleet badly crippled.

Out of the east that morning came nine Japanese planes flying high at first, then swooping down like vultures, their guns spitting death and destruction. Guam was struck by disaster on 8 December 1941. Adolf Hitler had grabbed much of Europe, and his forces locked in battle with the Russians. Japan’s imperial soldiers were administering Japanese influence in Manchuria and aggressively expanding south into more of China. Saburu Kurusu, diplomatic pouch in hand, stepped off the Pan American Airways Clipper at Sumay while rumors persisted in Guam that war with Japan was imminent.īut news reports elsewhere were saying that the Washington-bound Kurusu, special envoy for Emperor Hirohito appointed by the Japanese imperial government, was enroute to peace talks with high American officials. The following, with a few additions, is an article entitled “Chamorros’ Instinctive Ability to Survive During Japanese Occupation” as published in a booklet commemorating the 2001 Guam Liberation Day ceremonies.

Largest tank battle in ww2 ww2 where philippines lost to japan